Guenther Steiner on Leaving Haas: A "Liberation" with No Regrets

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Guenther Steiner, former Haas team principal and a fan favorite thanks to his candid appearances on *Drive to Survive*, recently shed light on his departure from Haas. Speaking about his years with the team and his journey since, Steiner has shown no hard feelings toward his former team, even describing his departure as a “liberation.” His new book, *Unfiltered*, dives into the highs and lows of his tenure at Haas, detailing the challenges he faced in his final years as team principal.

The Reality of Leading Haas: Passion Meets Frustration

For Steiner, his time with Haas was a rollercoaster. His passion for the sport remained strong, but he revealed that over time, his role began to feel stifling. Reflecting on the frustrations, he explained, “When you know you have the passion and the skills, but you realize you can’t do what it takes, it’s like having one arm tied behind your back. At that point, the passion disappears.” Steiner’s frustration was only exacerbated by some of Haas’s choices, which he believes hindered the team’s progress, especially compared to competitors who capitalized on opportunities during the COVID-19 era.

In *Unfiltered*, Steiner explains that Haas’s reluctance to adapt and reduce resources led him to feel powerless to create positive changes within the team. He even attempted to secure additional funding for the team to bolster its future, but Gene Haas, the team owner, rejected the idea. According to Steiner, the decision boiled down to ego: “He thinks that either we do it his way, or nothing.”

A Sense of Relief

When the news of Steiner’s exit came, he found himself feeling relieved. “I felt free. I didn’t have that block anymore,” he explained. Steiner takes pride in what he achieved during his years with Haas, having overseen the team’s launch in 2015 and navigating nearly a decade of challenges. Despite the bitter ending, Steiner holds no grudge and expresses gratitude for the experience. “Not many can say they did what I did. I’m proud and I don’t feel hurt because my life goes on. I didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t steal money, I didn’t harm anyone. People still respect me, even in Formula 1. I’m happy, I have no regrets, absolutely not.”

For Steiner, life after Haas appears to be about embracing new opportunities without resentment. His straightforward account highlights both his commitment to Formula 1 and the personal boundaries he’s established. With his new book offering even more insights, fans can now follow Steiner’s F1 story through his own unfiltered lens.